Reinforced masonry panel structures

ABSTRACT

A mounting arrangement  10   e  is provided for a cleat  30   a  or other body for receiving the ends of elongate reinforcements (e.g. rebars  40   a,    40   b ) in a bond beam in a masonry panel  66.  The mounting arrangement 10 e  secures the cleat to a further reinforcement (e.g. rebar  38   a ) and surrounding cementitious material in a hollow masonry block encased, reinforced cementitious material column  64.  An expansion joint  70  may be provided between the column  64  and the panel  66.  Connections between the head and foot of the column and pre-existing load bearing structures are also described.

BACKGROUND

Current techniques for constructing larger buildings usually involve theuse of a load bearing frame of steel or reinforced concrete, withattached cladding and/or masonry infills. In the case of masonry wallsin such structures and elsewhere, it is necessary to provide additionalstrengthening where the area of the wall increases beyond certainlimits. The strengthening is required to support the weight of the wall;to resist environmental loading such as wind forces, differences in airpressure and earthquakes; as well as to withstand other dynamic serviceloads such as crowd pressure, vehicle impact or explosions. The requiredstrength for a given structure is governed not only by the laws ofphysics but also by local building regulations. In some cases it mayalso be necessary to divide the masonry infill wall into a number ofsmaller panels or sections separated by expansion joints so as torelieve such loads in the masonry, and/or to avoid excessive movement ofthe masonry in response to temperature variations, or cracking of themortar or other jointing material e.g. due to differential shrinkagewhen drying or curing.

Traditionally where additional strength is needed, walls have beensupported by cross walls, piers and areas of wall thickening. Morerecently the standard windpost has been developed, which occurs in mostbuilding walls (particularly interior walls), if their length exceeds 4m. The purpose of the post is to stiffen or strengthen the walling, incircumstances of particular lateral stress from wind induced pressuredifferences, crowd or any other force. A wind post generally consists ofa steel column secured at its top and base to the building frame oranother suitable load-bearing structure. This form of construction,while effective, brings with it the following disadvantages:

1. An expansion joint is required on either side of the wind post, whereit interfaces with the adjacent masonry. Filler material is insertedbetween post and block faces.

2. Frame ties typically at 225 mm centres must be provided between themasonry and the post on both sides.

3. Mastic will often be a specification requirement.

4. A steel post will require fire protection.

5. There may also be acoustic concerns.

7. The post typically requires four bolt fixings, two at the base andtwo at the soffit.

8. The post must be erected before the walling and so isolated access(e.g. scaffolding) is required for safe work practice particularly atheight.

Our invention seeks to replace the windpost and also achieve many otherpositive characteristics in strengthening panels of bonded masonry suchas masonry walls, both load bearing and non load bearing; and optionallyeasing the provision of expansion joints.

Our published patent specification WO2008/015407 discloses a method ofconstructing a masonry infill in a load bearing structure. The methodinvolves laying one or more courses of masonry in an infill space in thestructure and partitioning off a casting space having as its base thethen uppermost course of masonry. The casting space extends from oneside of the infill space to the other. Reinforcing material is thenpositioned in the casting space and an end of the reinforcing materialis secured to the load bearing structure. The casting space is thenfilled with concrete and one or more further courses of masonry are laidon top of the filled casting space. The reinforced concrete forms a bondbeam which strengthens the masonry. The reinforcing material may berebar, secured to a load-bearing frame of the building by a body forreception of the rebar ends. The body allows longitudinal slidingmovement of the rebar relative to the frame, but restrains relativelateral movement of the rebar. The resulting structure forms a costeffective alternative to a wind post reinforced masonry infill, producedusing components that are easier to handle, and easier to install inconfined spaces, as well as having other advantages.

Our published patent specification WO2009/098446 relates to a masonryinfill in a load bearing structure which comprises hollow masonry unitsarranged to define a cavity extending through adjacent courses thereof,the cavity being filled with reinforced cementitious material e.g.reinforced concrete, a lower end of the reinforcement being secured to aload bearing support; a body being secured to the load bearing structureand receiving an upper end of the reinforcement so as to permitlongitudinal sliding movement of the reinforcement upper end in thebody, whilst constraining movement of the reinforcement in a directiontransversely of the infill. The lower end of the reinforcement may bebuilt into the support, or slidably received in a further body.Alternatively one or both ends of the reinforcement may terminate in abond beam. Brackets may be embedded in the cementitious material in thecavity to transfer shear forces between the adjacent blockwork and thecementatious material. WO2009/098446 therefore discloses methods forproviding generally vertically extending reinforced concrete structuresin blockwork, e.g. as an alternative to or as a replacement forwindposts, or as a reinforcement at the vertical edges of apertures inthe blockwork, e.g. at the edges of window or door openings or servicepenetrations, or indeed at any other point in the blockwork as required.

Our published patent specification WO2009/147427 concerns a masonry wallreinforcing bracket comprising an elongate inter-course stress transfermember which comprises a rebar cradling feature. The stress transfermember may comprise a flat strip locatable within a perpend in a masonrywall. The bracket may further comprise a supporting member thatprotrudes perpendicularly from the length of the stress transfer memberso as to be locatable within a bed joint of the masonry wall 10. Thesupporting member 28 may be a stabilising foot, so that the bracket isgenerally L-shaped. In this configuration the stabilising foot forms theshorter bottom limb of the L and the rebar cradling feature is a slotformed part-way along the stress transfer member, i.e. the longervertical limb of the L. The slot has an open mouth at a side edge of theflat strip. The rebars and brackets are used in a bond beam systemincorporated within the masonry wall. The brackets disclosed inWO2009/098446 may also be of this form. WO2009/147427 further describesconnections between the end of a reinforced concrete column and the topor bottom side of a bond beam, and similar connections between the endof a vertical steel post and the top or bottom side of a bond beam.

The various components described in the foregoing patent specificationsmay be used in a wide variety of combinations and configurations so asto be capable of providing a similarly wide variety of reinforcedmasonry infills for pre-existing load bearing structures such as theload bearing frame of a large building. Where the pre-existing loadbearing structure is made from steel columns and girders the body forreception of the rebar ends may be simply bolted to the load bearingstructure. Where the pre-existing load bearing structure is ofreinforced concrete, the body can be secured to it by expansion bolts,wall plugs and threaded fasteners, studs anchored in holes in thestructure by epoxy resin, or any other suitable fastening technique.

Although not previously considered for this purpose, such a body forreception of rebar ends could be used to terminate a bond beam withinmasonry (e.g. blockwork) at the side of a reinforced concrete column,slab or other volume of reinforced concrete also encased within themasonry (e.g. a column formed in accordance with WO2009/098446).Moreover an expansion joint could be provided between the masonryencased column or the like and an adjacent panel of masonry (e.g.blockwork) containing the bond beam, e.g. to accommodate thermalmovement of the panel and mitigate cracking due to mortar shrinkage oncuring. Expansion joints may also be useful in accommodating otherdeflections of the building under load, e.g. building settlement, anddeflections arising under the above described environmental and serviceloads. However, improvements in, or additional options for, fixing thebody to the masonry shell around the reinforced concrete column or thelike are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore provides a body securable adjacent anexterior surface of a masonry skin or shell, the body being adapted toreceive the end of an elongate reinforcement for reinforcing acementitious material, and a mounting arrangement adjustably securableto the body and engageable with a further elongate reinforcementpositioned for reinforcing cementitious material behind the masonry skinor shell therein, so that the body is secured to the further elongatereinforcement. As the body is not only mounted to the masonry skin orshell but is also engages (e.g. is directly secured to) the furtherelongate reinforcement and cementitious material behind the masonry skinor shell, this reinforced cementitious material as well as the masonrycan act to resist the lateral loads from the end of the elongatereinforcement received in the body. Preferably the body is adapted toreceive the end of the elongate reinforcement so that when encased inthe cementatious material longitudinal movement of the elongatereinforcement relative to the body is allowed but transverse movement ofthe elongate reinforcement relative to the body is restrained.

The mounting arrangement may comprise a hook or eye by which it issecurable to the further elongate reinforcement. Alternatively themounting arrangement may comprise a strip or plate having a slot inwhich the further elongate reinforcement is received for securing themounting arrangement to it. Preferably however the mounting arrangementcomprises a sleeve through which the further elongate reinforcementpasses for securing the mounting arrangement to it.

More than one such body may share a single such mounting arrangement.The mounting arrangement (whether for one or more bodies) may besecurable to more than one such further elongate reinforcementpositioned behind the masonry skin or shell.

The mounting arrangement may comprise a threaded fastening by which itis secured to the body. This may allow adjustment of the distancebetween the body and the further elongate reinforcement, so that thebody can be held closely adjacent to the exterior surface of the masonryskin or shell when secured to the further elongate reinforcement. Thethreaded fastening may comprise a bolt received in a threaded hole.Preferably however the threaded fastening comprises a threaded bar orstud received in a threaded hole or nut provided on a sleeve throughwhich the further elongate reinforcement passes for securing themounting arrangement to it. One end of the threaded bar or stud passesinto the interior of the sleeve so as to be clampable against thefurther elongate reinforcement. The other end of the threaded bar orstud carries a nut for securing it to the body.

The body may comprise a cleat having a mounting flange with a holethrough which the threaded fastening passes. Two or more such holes maybe provided. The cleat may further comprise one or more sockets forslidable reception of the elongate reinforcement ends. Alternatively,the cleat may comprise one or more spigots each for reception within asocket secured (e.g. welded) to the end of the elongate reinforcement.The head and/or foot of a column, panel or other volume of cementatiousmaterial containing the further elongate reinforcement(s) may be securedto adjacent load bearing structures (e.g. a foundation and soffit, beamsor floor slabs) by similar spigoted cleats arranged to cooperate withsocket(s) secured to the ends of the further elongate reinforcement(s).Additionally or lternatively some or all of the ends of the furtherelongate reinforcements may be received in sockets provided on one ormore of the corresponding cleats.

The invention therefore may be used to provide a masonry clad volume ofreinforced cementitious material, a panel of masonry and an expansionjoint between the masonry clad reinforced cementitious material volumeand the masonry panel, in which the masonry panel contains a bond beamand in which an elongate reinforcement in the bond beam has an endcoupled to a further elongate reinforcement in the volume ofcementitious material by a body and mounting arrangement as describedabove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and various preferred features and advantages of it arefurther described below with reference to illustrative embodiments shownin the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a hook type mounting arrangement for use in embodiments ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 shows an eye type mounting arrangement for use in embodiments ofthe invention;

FIG. 3 shows a mounting arrangement with a slotted plate, for use inembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a mounting arrangement comprising a sleeve, bolt andthreaded hole, for use in embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an elongate reinforcement receiving body in theform of a cleat, for use in embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a mounting arrangement comprising a sleeve andstuds, for use in embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an end view corresponding to FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows the cleat of FIGS. 5 and 6 assembled together with themounting arrangement of FIGS. 7 and 8, and a hollow block and rebars;

FIG. 10 shows part of a hollow blockwork encased, reinforced concretecolumn and an adjacent blockwork panel incorporating a bond beam, thepanel and column being separated by an expansion joint and one blockbeing omitted so as to show a cleat and mounting arrangement assemblycorresponding to that of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows an alternative sleeve and stud mounting arrangement tothat of FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 12 shows a cleat with spigots, which may be used in embodiments ofthe invention;

FIG. 13 shows a terminal rebar with a socketed end;

FIG. 14 shows two such socket ended rebars assembled together with thespigoted cleat of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 shows a stage in the construction of a stack bonded hollow blockencased reinforced concrete column;

FIG. 16 shows a further stage in this construction process;

FIG. 17 shows a header detail of a column, panel and expansion jointcorresponding to those of FIG. 10, with another block omitted to showinternal reinforcement details, and

FIG. 18 shows another form of hollow block.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a mounting arrangement 10 a for the elongate reinforcementend receiving body. This mounting arrangement has a hooked end 12 whichcan embrace the circumference of a further elongate reinforcement (e.g.a steel rebar, not shown) positioned behind a masonry skin or shell,such as inside a hollow blockwork casing so as to form a blockworkencased reinforced cementitious material column, (e.g. a reinforcedconcrete column). The masonry may be of any suitable kind, such asbrick, cement blocks or natural or artificial stone. The furtherreinforcement may be received in any suitable volume of cementitiousmaterial behind the masonry skin. The mounting arrangement 10 a also hasa threaded shank 14 forming a threaded fastening which can be passedthrough a hole formed through the side of the encasing hollow block orother masonry skin, shell or cladding, so as to be secured to theelongate reinforcement receiving body externally of the masonry. Forthis purpose, the elongate reinforcement receiving body may be providedwith a through hole through which the end of the shank 14 is passed. Anut can then be screwed onto the shank end, to secure the body adjacentto an outer surface of the masonry, but also anchoring it to the furtherelongate reinforcement (rebar) and surrounding concrete behind the skinor shell (e.g. inside a hollow masonry block).

As a preferred option, the body may take the form of a cleat such as 30a shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in which ends of elongate reinforcing membersexternal to the column or other volume of reinforced cementitiousmaterial (e.g. ends of steel rebars in a bond beam formed in an adjacentmasonry panel) are received in sockets formed by tubular pockets 36. Thepockets permit longitudinal sliding movement of the rebars, but restrainthem against lateral movement. The cleat further comprises a base plate32 with through holes 34 through which the free end of the shank 14 canpass and then be secured by a washer and a nut screwed down theprotruding tip of the shank 14 against the outer face of the base plate32.

Two (as shown) or more such holes 34 may be provided, each receiving arespective mounting arrangement 10 a in a respective hole through themasonry skin or shell, with the hooked ends 12 a engaging the same or adifferent internal (i.e. further) elongate reinforcement. The holes 34are elongated, so as to permit adjustment of the cleat positionlongitudinally of its base plate. This adjustment may accommodatethermal movement of the masonry panel in the vertical direction. Forthis purpose, the securing nuts may be left fairly loose, e.g. fingertight, and locked by backing nuts also received on the protruding tip ofthe shank 14.

The mounting arrangement 10 b of FIG. 2 is similar to the mountingarrangement 10 a, except that it has a closed loop or eye 12 b in placeof the hooked end 12 a. The loop may be closed by welding. It is passedover the top of the column etc. internal elongate reinforcement or rebarand slid down close to its desired final position. The shank 14 ispassed trough a pre-drilled hole in the associated masonry unit as it isbeing laid. The cleat 30 a or other external elongate reinforcement endreceiving body is then secured to the protruding shank tip as describedabove.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting arrangement is similar to that of FIG.1, but the hooked end 12 a is replaced by a slotted metal plate or strip12 c. This is welded to the shank 14. The slot is L-shaped, with an openmouth at one of the long side edges of the strip 12 c. The cross-sectionof the internal elongate reinforcement is received in the slot and themounting arrangement 10 c otherwise operates in the same way as those ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 shows a further form 10 d of the mounting arrangement. Thiscomprises a circular sectioned tubular sleeve 16 a which is threadedover the upper end of the internal elongate reinforcement e.g. rebar. Ahousing 20 a with a radially directed threaded hole is welded to oneside of the sleeve 16 a. A threaded fastener in the form of a bolt 18 ais inserted through the hole 34 in the cleat base plate 32 and throughthe hole pre-drilled in the masonry skin, shell or cladding. It is thenscrewed into the housing 20 a hole to secure the cleat to the internalrebar and to the surrounding reinforced cemetitious material, once thishas been cast behind the skin or shell, e.g. in a columnar space formedinside a stack of hollow masonry blocks. The sleeve 16 a may have a pairof the housings 20 a spaced along its length at a separationcorresponding to that of the holes 34 in the cleat base plate. Eachhousing may therefore accept a respective bolt 18 a passing through eachbase plate hole 34. A single mounting arrangement 10 d comprising asingle sleeve 16 a and a pair of bolts 18 a can therefore be used tosecure the cleat to an external surface of the masonry skin or shell.

The mounting arrangement 10 e shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 comprises a pair ofnuts 20 b welded over circumferentially aligned side holes at either endof a tubular sleeve 16 b. A threaded fastening in the form of a stud 18b is screwed into each nut 18 b so that the tips of the studs enter thebore of the sleeve 16 b. The other (outer) ends of the studs 18 b havecross-slots 46 engageable by a flat bladed screwdriver so that the studscan be screwed into the sleeve 10 e until their inner ends tightlyengage and clamp a rebar or other elongate reinforcement received in thesleeve 16 b. Of course, any other suitable rotational drive arrangementcould also be used. The sleeve 16 b without the studs fitted cantherefore be slipped over the upper end of an internal (further)elongate reinforcement and slid downwards to approximately the desiredlocation. The studs can be inserted through pre-drilled holes in theencasing hollow block or other masonry shell/skin, and threaded into thenuts 20 b. Tightening the studs with a screwdriver or other suitabletool will lock the sleeve 10 e and studs 18 b to the internal elongatereinforcement at the correct location. Protruding outer ends of thestuds 18 b can be inserted through the cleat base plate holes 34 tosecure the cleat in position against an outer face of the encasing blocketc. using washers, nuts and backing nuts as required, again allowingfor compensatory movement of the cleat in the vertical direction ifdesired.

FIG. 9 shows the mounting arrangement 10 e and cleat 30 a thus securedrespectively within and upon a hollow encasing block 60. The studs passthrough holes 62 pre-drilled into a header face of the block 60. Aninternal rebar 38 a is received and secured in the mounting arrangementsleeve 16 b and further rebar ends 40 a, 40 b are slidingly received inthe two cleat pockets. The cleat base plate is secured to the studs bynuts 42 and washers 44, in a manner permitting limited longitudinalsliding, if required. Backing nuts (not shown) or any other suitablelocking means may be used to retain the nuts 42 in the correct position.

FIG. 10 shows the mounting arrangement 10 e and cleat 30 a in positionin a reinforced concrete column 64 encased by hollow blockwork and in anadjacent blockwork panel 66 respectively. An expansion joint 70separates the column 64 from the panel 66. The expansion joint is formedin any suitable manner as may be used in standard blockwork walls, forexample a strip of Corofil™ packing whose otherwise exposed edges arecovered and sealed by a bead of mastic. The base of the cleat 30 a liesin the plane of the expansion joint 70. The column contains a pair ofelongate reinforcements 38 a, 38 b, e.g. steel rebars. One of these (38a as shown) passes through the sleeve of the mounting arrangement. Thepanel 66 has a bond beam formed in it, encased within a course of blocks68 having a U-shaped cross-section. The rebars 40 a, 40 b serve toreinforce the bond beam. The rebar ends and cleat pockets are covered byheat shrinkable boots 72 so as to maintain the longitudinal slidabilityof the rebar ends even when they and the cleat pockets have been encasedin the concrete of the bond beam. The bond beam may comprise stresstransfer brackets for transmitting stresses between the bond beam andadjacent courses of the masonry panel and for cradling and supportingthe rebars 40 a, 40 b during casting of the bond beam, as described inWO2009/147427. A half block of the column 64 and an adjacent half blockat the end of the bond beam and their respective concrete fillings areomitted in FIG. 10 so that the mounting arrangement 10 e and cleat 30 aare exposed and visible. Normally these components and their associatedrebars will be fully concealed within the encasing blockwork and itsconcrete filling. Externally, the reinforced blockwork is thereforeindistinguishable from standard, solid masonry, which can have aestheticadvantages. Where conditions dictate (e.g. for taller panels or panelshaving openings in them at various heights) the panel may be reinforcedby several such bond beams.

The encasing masonry and the surrounding concrete or other cementitiousmaterial provides the internal metal reinforcements (e.g. rebars,cleats, cleat mounting arrangements, stress transfer brackets) withadequate corrosion and fire protection in many instances. Theairtightness, thermal and acoustic performance of the column 64,expansion joint 70 and adjacent reinforced masonry panel 66 is similarto that of a plain panel of solid masonry blocks. The masonry of thepanel 66 above and below the bond beam can comprise lightweight blockse.g. of foamed cconcrete where these will provide adequate strength,thereby reducing the weight on the load bearing structure and increasingthe thermal performance of the building. All of the components used toform the reinforced masonry infills resulting from the presentinvention, as shown for example in FIG. 10, are relatively small andlight, and can meet the statutory requirements for manual handling. Nolifting or other load handling equipment is therefore necessary in theconstruction process. The construction methods can also be used in siteshaving restricted access.

The mounting arrangement 10 f shown in FIG. 11 is a further developmentof that 10 e shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. It comprises a pair of sleeves 16 cconnected together in parallel by two lengths of rebar each welded ateither end to sides of the sleeves so as to form a generally rectangularframe. The sleeves are each provided with welded-on nuts 20 c overlyingthrough holes, similar to the nuts 20 b and through holes shown in FIGS.7 and 8. These may be distributed circumferentially about the ends ofthe sleeves, proximate the connecting rebar 74 ends as shown. Studs 18 bmay be selectively screwed into the nuts 20 c so as to secure one ormore rebar (or other elongate reinforcement) end receiving bodies (e.g.cleats 30 a as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) to the mounting arrangement 10 fin a number of different possible configurations. For example thegenerally planar configuration of four studs in two pairs, each pairextending oppositely away from the connecting rebars 74, may be used tolink a further panel of bond beam-containing masonry to the column 64,opposite the bond beam containing panel 66; i.e. adjacent to the lefthand vertical edge of the column 64 shown as a free edge or reveal inFIG. 10. In this configuration, the mounting arrangement 10 f would beused in place of the mounting arrangement 10 e to secure two opposedcleats 30 a with their bases at opposed expansion joints 70. The rebars38 a and 38 b internal to the column 64 would be received in respectiveones of the sleeves 16 c. In this way a straight length of masonry wallcontaining the column 64 somewhere in the middle, and a pair ofexpansion joints, one on either side of the column, will result.

Additionally or alternatively, the nuts 20 c at right angles to theconnecting rebars 74 can receive cleat mounting studs 18 b, so as tolink further bond beam containing masonry panels to the column 64 atright angles to the panel 66 of FIG. 10. Again the further cleats orrebar end receiving bodies so mounted may have a base plate in the planeof an expansion joint formed with the outer surface of the hollowmasonry encased, reinforced cementitious material column or othervolume. The welded-on nuts 20 c may be distributed at other anglesaround the circumference of the tubes for use in linking bond beamcontaining masonry panels to the column etc. at any desired angle,besides at 0°, 180° and 90° as already described. The mountingarrangement sleeves 16 a and 16 b of FIGS. 4, 7 and 8 may be similarlyprovided with further housings 20 a and nuts 20 b distributed at anysuitable angles about their circumferences.

The column shown in FIGS. 10 and 17 uses half blocks to form every othercourse of the hollow encasing masonry, and a half block in thecorresponding courses of the adjacent masonry panel 66. In this way, the“stretcher bond” pointing pattern of the panel is continued into thecolumn, apart from the interruption necessarily occurring at theexpansion joint 70. FIGS. 12-16 show stages in the construction of astack bonded, hollow masonry encased, reinforced cementitious materialcolumn. Such a column can be used in place of the columns 64 of FIGS. 10and 17. Equally the construction process of FIGS. 12-16 can be readilyadapted to produce columns as shown in FIGS. 10 and 17, simply by usinghollow half blocks in the appropriate alternate courses.

FIG. 12 shows a rebar (or other elongate reinforcement) end securingcleat 30 b comprising a base plate 32 a having elongate securing holes34 a similar to the holes 34 of cleat 30 a (FIGS. 5 and 6). Cleat 30 bfurther comprises a pair of upstanding spigots 36 a formed by circularsection metal rods welded to the base. The spigots are dimensioned toform a snug sliding fit within a tubular socket 80 welded to the end ofa terminal rebar 82 (FIG. 13). The cleat can be fixed to a foundation,floor slab, beam or the like of a pre-existing load bearing structure ina position at the base of where it is desired to erect the column (orother volume of reinforced cementitious material). Bolts, expansionbolts or other appropriate fasteners are used for this, passing throughthe base plate holes 34 a. A pair of terminal rebars 82 is then fittedto the cleat 30 b by engaging the sockets 80 over the spigots 36 a (FIG.14). To form a column, a bed of mortar or like jointing material isspread around the base 34 a of the cleat 30 b. A hollow block 84 is thenlaid in the mortar in the correct position to form the first course ofencasing masonry for the column. The upper rim of the block 84 just laidis spread with a layer of mortar and the next block 86 is laid in stackbond on top of it (FIG. 15). Further blocks are laid similarly insuccession until only just sufficient length of each terminal rebar 82protrudes above the top block to form a lap joint with a length of plainrebar (or other elongate reinforcement) which is to be joined to theprojecting upper end. Once the lap joints have been secured e.g. by wireties or the like, further hollow blocks can be laid in stack bond,threaded over the tops of the plain rebars 38 c, 38 d (FIG. 16). Furtherlengths of plain rebar (or other elongate reinforcement) can be securedby lap joining until the desired height for the column is reached. Thecavity enclosed by the stacked hollow blocks can be filled with concreteor other cementitious material at suitable intervals as block layingprogresses. The depth of fill should not be so great as to maketamping/vibratory compaction difficult; neither must the intervalbetween successive pours be too great so that excessive curing takesplace, leading to a risk of “cold joints” and weakness in the final castcolumn filling.

The adjacent masonry panel (such as 66 in FIGS. 10 and 17, but not shownin FIGS. 15 and 16) may be built up course by course simultaneously withthe column blockwork, or afterwards. Expansion joint packing material isbuilt in as the work progresses. When the column reaches the height of abond beam course in the adjacent masonry panel, a hollow block 60 islaid having pre-drilled holes (not visible in FIG. 16) through itsheader face at the expansion joint plane. The sleeve 16 b of a mountingarrangement 10 e (for example, as other mounting arrangements can alsobe used as appropriate) is threaded over the upper end of the rebar 38 dand slid into position with its nuts 20 b aligned with the pre-drilledholes. The pair of studs 18 b are then inserted through the holes andnuts and are screwed tight against the rebar 38 d to clamp the mountingarrangement securely in position. A cleat 30 a or other suitable rebarend receiving body may then be secured to the protruding ends of thestuds 18 b as described above. Once the ends of the bond beam rebarshave been inserted in the cleat pockets, the resulting assembly will bethe same or similar to that shown in FIG. 9. Further courses of thecolumn encasing blockwork may then be added and filled in the same way.

FIG. 17 shows a head or soffit termination for a hollow masonry encased,reinforced cementitious material column. Prior to laying the finalcourses of the column, terminal rebars 82 are lap joined to the rebars38 a, 38 b or 38 c, 38 d, with their sockets engaged over the dependingspigots of a cleat 30 b secured to a pre-existing, overhead load bearingstructure such a steel joist section 88. Further blockwork courses arethen laid and filled until the column reaches the full height of thesoffit. An expansion joint packing e.g. also of Corofil may be includedbetween the final blockwork course and the steel joist. The terminalrebars are preferably not pushed fully home onto the cleat 30 b spigots,but a gap 90 of at least the thickness of the expansion joint packingand preferably about 30 mm is left between the upper end of the terminalrebar sockets and the cleat base plate. This allows for thermal andother movement between the top of the column and the overhead loadbearing structure. To enable the final blockwork courses to be threadedover the terminal rebars as they are laid, centre sections in theheaders of the hollow blocks may be cut through vertically, so that theblocks have a C-shaped horizontal cross-section. The concrete or othercementitious filling for the final course can be trowelled in throughthe expansion joint gap, or pumped in/injected. Head portions of otherreinforced, masonry faced, cementitious material volumes may beterminated and secured to an overlying load bearing structure in asimilar manner.

The spigoted cleat 30 b and the socketed cleat 30 a described above maybe substituted one for the other, for co-operation with socketed orplain rebar (or other elongate reinforcement) ends as appropriate.

It is also possible to omit the expansion joints 70 from the structuresshown in FIGS. 10 and 17. In that case the two half blocks on eitherside of the junction between the column 64 and the panel 66 on everyother course are replaced by a single whole block as shown in FIG. 18.Such blocks have a central vertical partition 92 running in thethickness direction and connecting the front and rear walls of thehollow block. This partition serves to retain the wet cementitiousfilling in the column. Alternatively, hollow blocks as shown in FIGS. 15and 16 could be used, with the halves of their base apertures whichextend into the panel 66 being closed off by a sheet of cardboard or thelike incorporated in the bed joints during construction.

1. A body securable adjacent an exterior surface of a masonry skin orshell, the body being adapted to receive the end of an elongatereinforcement for reinforcing a cementitious material, and a mountingarrangement adjustably securable to the body and engageable with afurther elongate reinforcement positioned for reinforcing cementitiousmaterial behind the masonry skin or shell, so that the body is securedto the further elongate reinforcement.
 2. A body and mountingarrangement as defined in claim 1, in which the body is adapted toreceive the end of the elongate reinforcement so that when encased inthe cementatious material longitudinal movement of the elongatereinforcement relative to the body is allowed but transverse movement ofthe elongate reinforcement relative to the body is restrained.
 3. A bodyand mounting arrangement as defined in claim 1 or 2, in which themounting arrangement comprises a hook or eye by which it is securable tothe further elongate reinforcement.
 4. A body and mounting arrangementas defined in claim 1 or 2, in which the mounting arrangement comprisesa strip or plate having a slot in which the further elongatereinforcement is received for securing the mounting arrangement to it.5. A body and mounting arrangement as defined in claim 1 or 2, in whichthe mounting arrangement comprises a sleeve through which the furtherelongate reinforcement passes for securing the mounting arrangement toit.
 6. A body and mounting arrangement as defined in any precedingclaim, comprising more than one such body which share a single suchmounting arrangement.
 7. A body and mounting arrangement as defined inany preceding claim, in which the mounting arrangement is securable tomore than one such further elongate reinforcement positioned behind themasonry skin or shell.
 8. A body and mounting arrangement as defined inany preceding claim, in which the mounting arrangement comprises athreaded fastening by which it is secured to the body.
 9. A body andmounting arrangement as defined in claim 8 in which the threadedfastening comprises a threaded bar or stud received in a threaded holeor nut provided on a sleeve through which the further elongatereinforcement passes for securing the mounting arrangement to it.
 10. Abody and mounting arrangement as defined in claim 8 or 9 in which thebody comprises a cleat having a mounting flange with a hole throughwhich the threaded fastening passes.
 11. A body and mounting arrangementas defined in claim 10 in which the cleat comprises one or more socketsfor slidable reception of the elongate reinforcement end.
 12. A body andmounting arrangement as defined in claim 10 in which the cleat maycomprise one or more spigots each for reception within a socket securedto the end of the elongate reinforcement.
 13. A body and mountingarrangement as defined in any preceding claim, in which the furtherelongate reinforcement(is secured to an adjacent load bearing structureby a cleat arranged to cooperate with an end of the further elongatereinforcement(s).
 14. A body and mounting arrangement as defined in anypreceding claim, further comprising a hollow masonry unit which forms atleast a part of the skin or shell and within which the cementitiousmaterial and further elongate reinforcement are received.
 15. A masonryclad volume of reinforced cementitious material, a panel of masonry andan expansion joint between the masonry clad reinforced cementitiousmaterial volume and the masonry panel, in which the masonry panelcontains a bond beam and in which an elongate reinforcement in the bondbeam has an end coupled to a further elongate reinforcement in thevolume of cementitious material by a body and mounting arrangement asdefined in any of claims 1-12.
 16. A masonry clad reinforcedcementitious material volume, panel of masonry and expansion joint asdefined in claim 15, in which the volume of cementitous materialcomprises a column or panel whose head and/or foot is/are secured to anadjacent load bearing structure by a cleat arranged to cooperate with anend of the further elongate reinforcement.